Ampoule sealing machine



Aug. 20, 194@ A. P l'PPlNG AMPOULE sEALING MACHINE Filed April '7,' 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet? Aug. 20, 1946.

A; FHPPHNG V AMPOULE SEALING MACHINE Filed April 7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

. msm@ @mmol Aug. 20, 1946. -A, PlPPlNG AMPOULE SEALINGMAGHINE Filed 'April "l, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEIY TOR.

' Alf flip/Jug Av1-2m ma, A. www@ mamon AMPOULE SEALING MACHINE Filed April 7,1945 5 Sheet-Sheet 5 INVENToR.

Arme/V575 Patented Aug. 20, 1946 OFFICE AMPOULE SEALING MAomNE Arif ripping, Bloomnela, N. J. Application April 7, 1943, serial No. 482,196

Claims.

This is an invention for a machine for sealing ampoules or equivalent containers of fusible material such as glass after `the same have been filled.

Due to the fact that ampoules of the same capacity vary considerably in the outside diameter ofthe necks thereof, it is essential in sealing the same by the direct action of a flame jet impinged thereagainst that the length of time to which the neck is subjected to the heat of the flame jet be regulated to within precise and very narrow limits to avoid damage to the ampoule and waste of the contents. When the fusing and sealing are 'carried out by and depend upon the judgment of an operator, only those of experience and possessing a high degree of skillfcan perform this type of work satisfactorily.

The present invention comprehends a machine of the character set forth and for the purpose specified which functions to automatically fuse and seal one or a plurality of ampoules simultaneously and which machine is so ,constructed and arranged and so actuated as to apply the 'heat' -t'o the neck of each individual ampoule for precisely the length of time required to obtain the proper fusing and .sealing thereof in accordance with the diameter of the neck of each ampoule, thereby practically eliminating damage l -thereto or waste of the contents by faulty sealing.

The invention is further directed to a machine of the indicated character by virtue of which a plurality offampoules may be expeditiously emplaced therein for fusing and sealing and removed therefrom when sealed so as to materially increase the output over that heretofore possible while at the same time permitting of the employment of less skilled operators than previously.

The invention also resides in a novell means for effecting the application of the arne jets to the ampoules and the discontinuance of the same thereto, together with means governed by the size of the outside diameter of the neck of each in- .dividualampoule for controlling the time of application 'of said jets in order to insure proper fusing and sealing thereby avoiding considerableV waste.

, 2 poules in position for sealing, the facility with which they may be emplaced in and removed from the machine, the means for compensating for the variation in the size of the ampoules which maybe sealed by the machine and the manner in which the parts of the machine subjected to the heat of the flame jets are cooled to protect the same against damage by overheating. 1

With the above enumera-ted and other objects in View, the invention is set forth in greater detail in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an ampoule sealing machine constructed in accordance with the invention with portions broken away to show the underlyingstructure with the ampoules clamped in place and illustrating the position of parts irnmediately prior to the starting of the machine.

' Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the machine taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the flame jets inactive and showing the gage heads and their arms set at relatively different positions with reference to the rack bars for varying the time of application of the llame jets.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the machine in opera-tion with the flame jets being applied to the ampoule necks.

. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 5--5 of Fig'. 2, illustrating the position of parts at a subsequent stage of the-cycle of operation of the machine and showing the neck squeezing jaws in their activev position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear view ofthe machine.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the machine includes a base I0 which has secured to the upper surface thereof a pair of transversely spaced upstanding supporting brackets I I and I2 between which extends a horizontal cross bar I3 located above th'e base and which has secured to the under side thereof a transverse duct III for a cooling fluid which is fed therethrough from an inlet I5 and which is discharged therefrom to an outlet I6.

Attached to the forward face of the duct I4 is an ampoule neck positioningstrip Il of angulated 'cross-sectional shape, defining a horizontal forwardly projecting lower flange I8, the forward edge ofwhich iiange is provided with a longitudinal series of contiguous V-shapedrnotches I9 of a size to receive therein and spaceapart respectively the necks of a row of ampoules, the

upper forward portion of the notched edge of the lower flange being cut-away or rabbeted to pros vide a clearance space for a purpose which willV Y hereinafter appear.

The filled ampoules A are delivered to the op? erator of the machine in a rackvB which as illus` trated inI thexpres'entjdisclosur'e.is in' 'theform of Van elongated "rectangular bldckk V`formedl with a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets Cl opening through the upper face thereof andv which sockets are of a. size to free-lyrgreeeive' the lower end portions of the ampoulesA,n thereby disposing the same in a row in thera'ck 'Secured to the upper surface of, thesbasegieand;l; ,Y located betweenV the supporting brackets Y:II and Y I2, is aV guideway for the ampoule rack 11S-which consists of spaced parallel forwardly and rearmardi-y1iextendinefsideaeuide strinse-2.0.1 -theiffrward@ end-s" of @which are :disposedadjacent 1 the vprwardfedge ,o-f; the l:base and the fr ear sends of w termina-te inf.substantially verticalrialign- A frearabntment string-'2 Ifextends transversely: of

fthel fbase tromlonersideguide strip 20 to the other .andfgthefforward endsf22 @of i the .sidefguidefstrifps are bent outwardly at diver'ging angles to dene -afiiared:entrance:moutheforffacilitatingthe.initial emplacement offtheeampoule" rack -i3 -withifn rthe V-guidewaybetween:the side guide strips-Z5.

rder to render the ymachine Auseful. for 1am-1 es of tvaryi-ng; heights within vlimits,V shim bigcks gflqfof .varying :thicknesses are@ arranged 4 xed position under the tension of the spring fingers.

In order to heat and fuse the necks of the ampoules A for sealing the same, a pair of nozzles 35 and 36 are provided for each ampoule for directing chisel-shaped flame jets against the necks between the ends thereof and in surrounding relation thereto. 'Ihe nozzles 35 and 36 are carried by the terminals of conduit pipes 31 and '.38 Lsectied1 to,""` communicating viiithxaind leading from azgasman'ifold SBLeXtendin'g transversely of the machine and supported by a transverse strip 45 lsecured to the upper surface of the base I0,

.-said'rmanifeld being supplied with gas from a suitable source by a pipe P. The nozzles 35 and 'Sare'disposed in staggered relation, with the yflamajetsT ofthe pair of nozzles for each ampoule directed at an angle to the axes of the nozzles to `thereby;afford a clearance between the forward nozzles of adjacent pairs to allowfor the passage vof:th'evan'ipouleneeks-tlfierebetween.` j if Any-"Suitablemeansfmw be-employedfforsfperf *.mitting. Vof theeapplicationof the flarne.;ets:` from the nozzles 35 and 35 and for discontinuingthe same butfas shown inthe present instancefpneu- .matic. `*means is vf,utilized wh-ich.. consists ofan Iair manifold t5yk extending vtransverselyv of -.the machine andsupportedabovethe base adjacent .therear thereof. `vAirunder pressure i-s-supplied vto the r manifold '55 through' an inletpipe 46; and

la,.plurality of outlet-pipesgdr'l; onetforeachtam-v poule .eXtendforwardly-from the-air-mani-fold 45 with .the forward closed .end-'K `portions. thereof re- Y spectively disposedadgiacentfto and slightlyfbelow .within the,guideway:andremovablyanchcred in :fplacefbyscrewsy2.5 threadedfinto thefbase. YUnder 5th-is;ponstructionsand arrangement; it YWillv .beifapparent that their operator off the machine may expedi'tiouslyr place #ther racksfB: on :thel shim block .within-fthe-flared e-ntran'cemouth: of. the guideway and slide the same rearwardly betweenrthe side guide stripsf untl'gtherack engagesth'erear labutment strip .-2 I.- i'f'l'his -f automatically: disposes lthe lippen ends of thelamppule necks-respectively y fwithing-t-he; Veshaped notches --I9- ofithe lower flangeI Stof fthey jn'eckfpositioning strip I1.

y r'slfhefnecksfare clamped within `ithe'-notclfieswfI'li by a series of spring fingers 27 whichiareqsecure'd .tangentially to and dependA from'f; a horizontally ldisposed-lover.head rock shaft 218-iextendingxtransf-` versally of the machine with'.-thefoppositefends `thereoffjournaledfinbearing ppeningsrini'thels'up- Vporting fbracketsizj I Ifanid A22; the end/.ofzltherfrock shaft-r which extends .through :the bracket ft2 havl Y ingrsecuredftheretoan L-shapedeleyer fori-turn.- .in-gythe f rock4 shaft imarmally;4 andzwhich :leverisv provided with a weight 33 at the terminati-of one efiitsiarmswvhich functionsito turn the-rock shaft in a direction to swing the spring fingers il :f'fifwardlylandiupwardly "to" an"inactive'out ofi-fthe way posit-ion where furthenmovement of the-leverv isarrested byengagementof vith-e' -same vwithi a `'stop' pin"3 I on'the" bracket I 2. :The lever -2 9 Fisprovide'd witha 'latch 32' adapted toV 'engage a'keeperiorithe'bracket: I2 for retaining the leverjinf its 'forward positionwith the'lingers-.ac-

tivIy; engaging the Yampoule.v necks. v vfThe fout-1 away or rabbeted portion of ltl'ie flange-.lyserves asa clearance .space forfthen-lowerterminals of the .spring'lngers to permit thesameftopush thev annziouler necks rearwardlyto thefull extent with-p` lshaped -notches nI Sfin'iacjcordancezwithi eeuwse-diameters:and-,1to1Trentine/them@ the" portion.. of Y each.v outlet .pipe 4'l. is.provided-with a pair of upwardly 'directed outlet VVopeningstill-and 139- for directing air. jets respectively-.in intersecting relation totheflame jetsiof the nozzles 35and 40 35. so Aasto ,.deiiect the .larneV jetsfupwardly away vtionof :said leaf". spring. directed downwardlyy and formedwitha .substantially horizontalzterminal an angle strip-f55=disposed `transverselyfof and supported above; theabase jadjacent ...the I rear thereof by transversely vspaced f upstanding I bracketsiSI and5'l.` 'Pheresiliency offthefsprings is'r such as gto .normallyv swing .theA rear lterminals 53: upwardly'ftoA thereby-1 dispose the y valveilugs 5I v`within :the fspacejs. orggaps-i -Lof @the Y air outlet pipesv 41 1to interceptthe airtpressure: andfpermit the -flameiets Y to vbe :projected'i in-l their lactive paths toward and in surrounding relation vtolthe ampoule. necks. Y

-Fonthefpurpose' of holdingtheisprings 52jd'ey pressedfagain'st' the ,horizontalzflangeif54 of :the

J Yangle -ist-rip 55 "with the airzpressure :flowing throughfthe airroutletipipes'l 4T Wherebythezame jets; are deflectedy upwardly; a; plurality/.of gragk.

bars 6i) are provided one foreach'springr52.. .'.Tlie rackbars. are mounted for Verticalzsldingzrnovement; aligned:gsudezopeningslt and'. '62. formed reachpair. ofnozzles/.S- and 3.8,.) The forward end superposed bearing strips 63 and 64 extending transversely of the machine-and secured to the upstanding brackets 56 and 51. The lowerends of the rack bars respectively rest upon the terminals 53 -of the leaf springs 52 to thereby hold the springs Vdepressed and against the flange 54 so: that the valve lugsv are inactive and the ame jets are deflected. t Y Y 4 In order to raise each rack bar 60 to permit its spring 52 to beflexed upwardly for moving the valve lug 5IL into the space or gap 50 so .thatgthe vllame jets will` be applied for a length of time, required inpaccordance with the ,outside diameter,v measurement of each ampoule, a vertically swingable arm; 61v is provided for each rack bar. Each arm 641isattached,toa gage. head 68 :and extends rearwardly therefromrwith the terminal 69 at the rear thereof disposed adjacent and alongside of the teeth 10 formed on each rack bar 69. The gage heads 68 are respectively mounted for swing` movement on horizontal axes l'HA journaled in bearing .elements 12 attached to 'the forwardffacefof the cross bar I3, so that one gage head is located in rear of each spring finger l21 vfor pivotal movement between eachadjacent pair of bearing elements. By virtue of this arrangement it willv be apparent that the weight of the rearwardlyprojecting arms 61 functions vto lnormally swing the lower ends of the gage heads forwardly. ,It therefore follows that when the spring fingers 21 engaging the ampoule necks contact with the lower ends of the gage heads 68, said gage heads will be selectively, swung rearwardly varying distances commensurate with the sizes of the outside vdiameters of the ampoule necks. Thiswill in turn set the rear terminals 69 of the arms/61 at varying heights alongside of the teeth of therack .bars 6D, it being apparent that the ampoule necks of larger outside diameters will dispose the spring fingers 21 farther forward than those of smaller outside diameters, hence the rear terminals 69 of the arms 61 corresponding to the smaller ampoule necks will be set at a higher level thanthe rear terminals" of the arms o-f the larger size ampoule necks. It will also be appreciated that due to the'A leverage arm proportions thus defined the relatively longer length of the arms 68 with reference to the length of the lower ends of the gage head will greatly magnify the relative/differences between the outside diameters of the ampoule necks as evidenced by the variations in the vertical settingsof therarm terminals 69.

l In order to shift the rear terminals of the arms 61 laterally into engagement with the'rack teeth 10 of the rack bars 60, after said terminals have been set in accordance with theneck sizes of the ampoules, Va frame is provided which is mounted for lateral shifting movement in guides 16 attached to the upstanding brackets 56 and 51 and said frame has secured thereto a plurality of vertically disposed transversely spaced angle bars 11 between which the arms 61 respectively extend so that lateral movement of the frame will effect corresponding movement of the rear portions of the arms coincident therewith to engage the rear terminals 69 thereof with the rack bar teeth 10 when the frame is shifted to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. In order to insure positive disengagement of the arm terminals 69 from the rack teeth, each of the angle bars 11 has the rear portion of its rearwardly directedv flange 18 disposed;l closely adjacentto the rear terminal of the armat the region where' it engages the teeth of the rack bar. A leaf spring .19` anchored to the bracket 51 engagesthe side rail of the frame `15for normally shifting the frame tothe right and for tensioning the same against movement to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. A sector shaped cam =is mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to `the plane of movement of the frame 15 and is engaged by a cam roller 86 carried by the frame 15 Vto shift the frame to the'left against the tension of the spring 19. l The cam 85 is secured to a cam disk 81 keyed to a camshaft 88 extending transversely of the machine adjacent to the rear of the ybase Hl4 and journaled for rotation in upstanding bearing brackets 89 and 90 secured to the upper Asurface of the base` I0. The cam disk 81 is formed with a spiroidal periphery 9i` which merges into a tangential edge 92 and is so generated as to gradually increase in distance from its axis of rotation in the direction in which it turns from its juncture with the inner end of the tangential edge 92 to its juncture with the outer end thereof. The cam disk 81 together with a complementary cam disk 93, identical with the cam 81, effects Vertical movement of an angle bar 95 extending transversely of the machine beneath the terminals 69 of the arms 61 and which angle bar 95 is mounted for vertical guided movement by guide rods96 extending upwardly from .the base I6 and supported at their-upperendsby angle elements 91 secured to and projecting rear-'- wardly from the upper ends V.of the bearing brackets 56 and 51. Attached to the opposite ends Aof the angle bar 95 and alsoguided for verticalmovement are a pair of upstanding arms 98 each of which has journaled thereon a cam-roller 99 which cam rollers are respectively engaged by the cams 81 and 93, so that upon each complete rotation of the cam shaft 88 the cams 81 and'93 willeffect the raising and lowering of the angle bar 95. The sector shaped cam 85 and the cam disks 81 and 93 are so related or positioned with reference to each other that as they turn in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3

the trailing edge of the cam 85 passes beyond the cam roller 86 just as the low point of the cam disk peripheries of the cams 81 and 93 start to engage the `cam rollers 99. This insures the lateral shifting of the frame 15 and the engagement of the rear terminals 69 of the arms 61 with the teeth 10 of the rack bars 60 immediately prior to the raising of the angle bar 95. As the angle bar 95 moves upwardly it will contact the terminals 69 of theA arms 51, it being apparent that the terminals which are disposed lowermost will be raised first to cut off the air pressure jets and permit the flame jets to be impinged againstthe ampoule necks which obviously are those of larger outside diameter. As the anglev bar 95 continues to ascend it will engage with the other arm terminals successively, it being apparent that those which are disposed highest will be engaged last and hence the flame jets permitted torimpinge against the ampoule necks of smaller outside diameter subsequent to those of larger diameter. When the cam disks 81 and 93 have completed a rotation the tangential edge 92 registering with the cam rollers 99 will permit the angle bar 95 to descend rapidly thereby lowering the angle bar 95 to its initial lower position. At this stage of the operation, the beveled leading edge |00 of the sector shaped cam 85 will Acontact with its camV roller 86 to cam the frame 15 to the left, instantly releasing all of the arm` terminals 69 from the teeth 10 of the rack bars 60 so vthat the same descend and gravitationally depress all of the leaf springs 52 thus moving the valve lugs 5| y9` to `thefright as' lview zve'd yin Fig. 43 to engage 'the lowerterminalsof the' springngers 21Y with the ampoule necks thereby clamping the, same rmly in the' V-shaped notches |19, itbeing understood that the resiliency of the ngers 21:will permit them to individually flex to accommodate' themselves to varying positions in accordance with vthe sizesof the outside diameters of the ampoule necks. The lever29 is retained in its forwardly7 swung position by the engagement of the latch 32 with the keeper pin 33. As soon as the ampoules' have been positioned and clamped in place the gage heads 6 8 will be selectively swung rearwardly varying distances commensurate with the sizes of the outside diameters of the ampoulev necks thus setting the rear terminals v69 with reference to the teeth of the rack bars' 60. At this time it will be understood that all of the rack bars 60 are in their lowermost positions depressing ltheleaf Vsprings' 52 so that the valve lugs 5| are in lowered positions allowing the air pressurev t'o ow throughall of the outlet pipes 41 and from theupwardly directed outlet ports 48 and 4.9 so that air jets are intercepting the flame jets and deflecting the same upwardly and away from the ampoule necks until the machine is started on its cycle'of operation. The operator then starts the machine as previously 'explained by swingingA the manipulating' lever |43 to the left, thereby coupling the cam shaft 8 8 with driven shaft |30 from the power source. The initial movement of the cam shaft 88vcauses the trailing'edge ofthe sector, shaped cam 85 to move out of contact with the cam roller 86 thereby permittingthe leaf spring 19 to urge the frame 15 to the'right as viewed in Fig. 2, thus shifting the rear terminals 69 rof 4the pressure flowing from the manifold 45 through the airoutlet pipes 41 until the cam disks 81 and 93 have been turned to a position where the tangential edges A92` thereof permits thejcam rollersY 99 vto descend to their lowermost positions thereby lowering the angle bar 95.. However, ,immediately prior to this, the beveled leading edge' |0901' the cam 85 will have engaged theroller 86 r(and the frame will thus have been shifted to the left, thus disengaging the terminals B9 from the teeth 10, freeing the rack bars 60 to descend and depress the leaf springs 52 thereby permitting the air to flow through pipes 41 to discontinue the flame jets against necks. It will be evident from the construction and mode of operation set forth `that the length of time which the 'flame jets are applied to the individual ampoules in accordance with the size of their outside diameters, is controlled by starting the application of the flame jets to the ampoules at varying times and discontinuing the application of said flame jets simultaneously. That is, the larger the outside diameter of the ampoule neck, the earlier the ame jets are applied thereto and the smaller the outside diameter, the later the flame jets will be applied.

During the initial and major portion of the cycle of rotation of the cam shaft 88, the cam roller |24 is engaged by the concentric periphery |25 of the cam disk |26 so that the rear end of the rock lever I8 is depressed to elevate the for- .At the Sametime the spiroidal 10 ward bifurcated "end 2 I, tnerebyjretaining; the lef-shapedA slide ||0 in its raisedV position and' holding the jaws |05 and |06 in their opened relation. When the'cam disk |26` approaches the completion of its cycle the notch |21 registers with the. cam roller |24 and the leading substantially radial edge permits the 'cam roller v|24 Lto move upwardly as the forward end of thejlever H8 descends under' the'weightof the L- shaped slide ||0 to closethe jaws. The final 'stage Vof the cycle of rotation of the cam disk |26 causes the following or trailing convex wall |28 to cam the rear end of the rock `lever ||8 downwardly for effecting the opening of the jaws'after they have performed their function.. During the final' stage of the cycle of operation of the machine the beveled leading edge |00 of the sectorshapjed cam willcontact with the cam roller 86'to camV the frame 15 'tothe left, thereby releasing allfof the rear terminals 89.01 the gage arms'61 fr orn the teetli `10of the rack bars 60s At the precise moment when the cam shaft and cams have completed a single revolution thetrip remove them from the machine for repeating the' operation. After removing the' rack`B from'the machine, the upper endscf the ampoule necks above the compressed sealed'portions are readily brushed 'away or otherwise displaced.

What isV claimed is:

1. A mach-ine for simultaneously sealingthe necks of a plurality of ampoules comprising a base having aguideway for receiving and .locatingin Vapredetermined position a rack containing av rowfof vertically disposed upstanding ainpoulessothat the vrow extendstransversely'of the machine, a cross rail carried byv the base' in superposedA .relation to Athe located rack and formed with longitudinally vspaced V-shaped notches in the forward edge thereof -within which the upper end portions of the ampoule necks are respectively arranged, flexible `spring fingers movable against .thefllpper ends offthe necks` when so rarranged in the notches ,for clampingv saidV necks in` place,'.a.y gage .head for each vampoule pivoted on a horizontal 'transverse axis and located adjacent each spring finger, a rearwardly directed arm secured to each gage head functioning as a. weight for swinging the lower edge of the gage head against its adjacent spring finger so that the rear end portions of the arms `assume varying vertical positions governed by the size of the outside diameters of the ampoule necks, nozzles for directing individual flame jets in surrounding relation to each ampoule neck, an air pressure pipe for each flame The operator then releasesA a plastics'tateij Y tinue, theimpingement oftheflame jetsiagainst the1V ampoule necks: A '21" Amachineforsealing-the neckscof ,'apl11` rality," of 'ampoules simultaneouslyv comprisingaY l base havingl aguide'way :forreceiving ,and locatE in'gjiniavpredetermined `pos'tiona rack"'contai11` ing 'arowY of vertically disposed upstanding am-V poules so'that the VroW extendstransverselypf l the, machine-,=a, cross rail Vcarried by the basedn supemosed relation to tha-located rack" and the upper endportions' ofthe ampoule necksr are respectiveljarranged, exible spring, fingers movable against the upper .endsll of the necks. when so arrangedjin the notches 'forclampingj said'necksn place, a-gage headffo'r .each am-l poulepivotedgon a horizontal 'transversetaxis'and' n locatedadja'cent each spring ungen,y alrearward-Y lyg'diiectedarn secured to each rgage headiuncf'` tioning as a Wei'g'htffo'r swingingitheilower end ofi thevgage`head against its' adjacent spring nge'r i so tlat'therear end'.'portions. 'of'fthe' arms fas- 1 sumegdffrent vertical positions governedqgby'jthes sizeof" theV outside' idiameters'. of the ,ampoule necks-nozzle for directing1 individual flame jets' in. "surrounding relation.'k to each ampoule '.neck,

1 anan; pressure ypille. .for each4 flame jetA `having 1 outlets .for directingA air 'jets' ".so' as .Ltointercept "f and.discontinueatlrapplicationof the flame jets,c l valvesfor cuttingvoitheairto' each air pressure z Pipe', m'ea'n's .controlled jbyrth'e 'vertical position of each' arm for selectively; closing. the air. valves.

`to-permii'f:of `'the impingem'ent of theame jets j against" the. ampoule .'necks; "means for `simulta- 3 neouslyreleasingsaidrvalveclosing,meansto open "sadl'airvalvesanfd therebydiscontinue the im-v pingement of 'Stheamejjets against the ampoule necks, andY a pair of j aWs operable infti'rned"rr-flas i tion tothe` discontinuance orfl ithe-impingement n ofthe 'flame jets for pinching ifl'the 4n'ecks'azud closing the Vunsealed'fon'es Whiletthe necksare'in Bn a. machine ifor .sea-ling:grilledVY ampoules 1 formed: with longitudinally spaced g V'shaped notches 'in thegorward edgeithereof 'Withinmhichp 12 engagement with the amp0u1e..reta1ningmeans, a reciprocatorygjbar enga,g-,!1gwthl thel opposite. end of said arm and* with" said air' jet lputtingott" meansl Y and rotary .driven means4 engaging; With saidreciprocatory bar forlactuatingzthe sameto` cut offl said jet of air. v 4:'` In a, machine for sealing filledV ampoulesvr made of a fusible material, means for supportingv and retaining the ampoule .in xed"position, a nozzle openingjtoward said ampoule .for direct# ing a name in surroundingrelation,totheineclc' thereon.' a conduit havingtan openinggdrected". toward the 'pathgof the flame, adapted ,to direct: a vj.etof air forinterceptingpnd discontinuing theapplic'ation of thelametothe neckof"'t`he ampoule, means for cutting:offthesunplyioflthe air passing Y.through .said condut a Aswingablyf mounted -arm disposed (Withone, end thereofrini engagement with the ampoule retaining means, a .Ieciprocatoryc-ibar engagingwith the opposite: end ofsaid arm and with saidlair. jet cutting o means, movable` jaws for compressing the .neck. of 'saidampoulerwhilefin avplastic state toisever and seal the same, a rock shaft operativelycon: nected With' said movablejaws for moving'the same and 4rotary vdriven meanscengagngdw'h said reciprocatory bar andirsaid rock shaft'jfor actuating .the same .to 'thereby ,discontinue the application .of the flame toisevenandsealgthe ampoule; i

5; In a machine f-or 1 sealing filled' ampoules. made of a fusible materialimeans,forgsupporting thez ampoulev in xediposition; anozzle opening toward sad' ampoule for directinga amein surrounding relation .to the.. neck thereof, a con@ duithaving Tan. opening directed .toward the path. of .the ame adaptedtodi'rect aijt ofJair for intercepting ,and 'discontinuing the applicationfof theame -toth'e neck of.' the ampoule, means 'for cuttin'gj'oil the supplyof ainpassing Vthrough said conduit", a spring nger disposed' in engagementY Withthe` ampoule neck', a swingalolyA mounted arm .arrangedwith .one end thereof in engagement withV th'esaid spring nger for disposing, th'e outer end lofsaid arm inV aposition relative toth'e .size ofthe ampoule neck, a reciprocatory,V b'ar'engaging with Vsaidair'jet cutting off means` andiadapted to' engage the outer. endioi said armmanddriying means formovin'gL said bar fort effecting a cutting; oi .ofthe jet of air and there- Ybygcontrollingzthe length ofl time that vvthe flame je`t;is;applied1to,the ampoule by the relative sizel of the ampoule neck. Y Y

ALF ."PIPPING.'" 

